CPU Hosts Dinagyang Pickleball Cup 2026, Crowns Champions, Sends Nationals-Bound Doubles

Central Philippine University turned its University Gymnasium into a three-day pickleball hub as the Dinagyang Pickleball Cup ran January 16-18, drawing doubles teams across Novice to Executive brackets and producing nationals-bound pairs. Organizers said every podium team in each division earned qualification to the Philippine Pickleball Federation Nationals, underscoring the tournament’s role as a regional pathway for competitive players.

The event was staged in cooperation with the Iloilo City Government and Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu, in partnership with Juego PH and Picklelab PH, and powered by JOOLA Philippines-Pickleball. That mix of municipal support and equipment partners signaled growing institutional interest in pickleball infrastructure and event delivery across the Philippines.

On the court, several names stood out. In Intermediate Men’s Doubles 35+, Saguib Sumampao and Viviano Claver Jr. of RSPC took the title, with Ferdinand Rivera and Shai Zahavi (USA) placing first runner-up and Rayniel Jay Berbolla and Benjie Sabado of SKPC finishing second runner-up. The Intermediate Men’s 35(-) Under crown went to RSPC’s Alva Bual and Harry Karon, while Jamel Sunio and Joseph Magpale of PALAKOL earned first runner-up and CPU’s Carl Sumalapao and Angelo Mejia were second runner-up.

The Intermediate Mixed Doubles (no age cap) podium featured Niegel Libo-on and Liza Badion of LnMPC as champions, Christian Philip Acedo and Aleyde Perez of Tagbilaran Pickleball Association/ILO as first runner-up, and Vanessa Dian and Jeremy Gue (CPU/Winston Salem Pickleball Club) as second runner-up. A photo from the event captured the mixed-doubles podium with Libo-on and Badion centered.

Executive divisions produced cross-generational narratives. Ronie Dema-ala and Shai Zahavi (USA) won Executive Men’s Doubles 55+, while Mario Zaragosa and Noel Sorilla (ILO-CPU) were first runner-up and Kapitan Chavez and Dominis Morilla (CDO) took second runner-up. In Executive Mixed Doubles 50+, Peachy Salcedo and Noel Sorilla (ILO-CPU) claimed the title, Jeffrey and Gina Galinato (SKPC) were first runner-up, and Julie Uy and Nelson Cahilig (ILO) finished second runner-up. Notably, Shai Zahavi and Noel Sorilla each medaled in multiple divisions over the weekend, highlighting veteran presence and depth at the top levels.

Beyond results, the Dinagyang Pickleball Cup illustrated several industry trends: the sport’s intergenerational appeal from novice to executive divisions, the increasing role of local governments and university hosts in staging competitive events, and commercial partnerships with equipment and program providers that help professionalize circuits. Central Philippine University’s capacity to host was reinforced by institutional credentials noted in the materials, including CHED autonomous status and ISO 21001:2018 certification, which aid event credibility and operational standards.

Photos from the weekend are credited to Central Philippine University. With podium finishers now slated for the national stage, Iloilo’s tournament has plugged the region into a broader competitive flow and signaled expansion opportunities for organizers, sponsors, and players as pickleball’s footprint grows across Asia.